Flyers add to city's trash

It's also time to address light-duty trash. By that I mean the countless flyers for fast food, all manner of takeout and pizza that are attached to every door, banister, garage door handle and wiper blade in the city, sometimes daily.

Great inroads have been made on orbiting plastic bags. It's time to hit this nuisance, starting with the vendors who originate them and then the people who distribute them. Personally, I make a mental note of each one so that I remember not to frequent their operation.

RAY BYRAM

San Francisco

Of ink and art

Editor: What's with the new smelly ink? It's unpleasant, causes headaches and dizziness to some of us and comes off on fingers. Please go back to the old kind.

On the other hand, the new printing is so precise and detailed, I can't toss out that big photo of the presses you published (July 6); it's so real it's a work of art. And the smaller-size page is convenient. So thanks for all that.

ZOE GOORMAN Mill Valley

Who's a coward?

I read the comments of Lt. Mike Stasko of the SFPD homicide detail ("Student ruled a journalist," July 16): "We're just going to find some witnesses who aren't cowards, like this student is, hiding behind the shield law."

These comments tell me several things about the lieutenant and allude to some of the underlying problems in the department.

First, Stasko has no respect for the law, as his comments suggest that laws such as the shield law can be selectively ignored when he believes it necessary. Second, calling a citizen a "coward" for refusing to cooperate in an investigation that puts his personal safety at risk suggests a level of unprofessionalism.

I can't help but wonder whether the lieutenant would be as brave if he did not have a shield and gun and whether citizens would be less "cowardly" if the SFPD had a better record of solving homicides.

ROB BASS San Francisco

Budget stimulus

It seems to me that if the governor made a 33 percent reduction in pay for all of our state senators and Assembly members, maybe the budget would be done by day's end.

Clean energy vote

Addressing the threat of global warming is one of the biggest challenges of our generation. Having just enjoyed Independence Day, it is fitting that Congress took a major step in declaring our nation's independence from the fossil fuels that are responsible for causing global warming.

The House of Representatives took a historic step last month toward a clean energy economy by passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act (HR2454). Now is the time for real leadership from Congress in the fight to stop the worst impacts of global warming.

For example, in California, without quick action to address global warming, we can expect to see more wildfires and increased drought. I applaud Rep. Barbara Lee for her recent vote in support of the bill.

Now it is time for Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein to work to strengthen and pass this bill as it moves through the Senate. Passing strong energy legislation through Congress is critical to rebuilding our economy and protecting the environment.

Bobbing and weaving

But I can not celebrate the extent to which she dodged substantive questions about both her past judicial decisions and, more importantly, her future ones on the Supreme Court. The Senate - and more importantly the people they represent - deserve answers to questions about her positions on voting rights, privacy, choice, contraception and gun control.

New Sen. Al Franken got it right - these are the key questions, and Sotomayor ought to have answered them.

You can't win a fight - though you can win a nomination - dodging blows. You only win if you have some punch. I hope that she does. If she does, she disguised it well.

BUCK BAGOT

San Francisco

Wrong emphasis

I have been a cheerleader for Sen. Dianne Feinstein for many years, believing that she analyzes issues and tackles them in a highly objective manner. Her achievements on behalf of the American people, both as a mayor of San Francisco and a U.S. senator, are remarkable.

But I was taken aback by her recent emotional gushing over Supreme Court candidate Sonia Sotomayor.

The candidate's victories over personal obstacles are truly outstanding but are secondary in the current context to her ability to judge.

By reversing the emphasis and placing the candidate's life achievements over her demonstrated judicial abilities did not do justice to either the candidate or the senator.